[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results/ allergy specific tests
I'll get my results back in about 10 days. I wonder if I'll get a cullicoides score... :) Dear Karen, You've probably had a RAST test. (radio allergo sorbent). It's an Allergen specific IgE test. Tells you whether you have an allergy because your producing the Immunoglobulin(IgE) to a specific protein known as the allergen. I think you have to start off with a list of 'suspects' or maybe they just round up the usual ones like hay, horses, dogs, cats and moulds. It can be really helpful if it's possible to do avoidance like change the horses bedding or volunteer for the desensitisation programme (if symptoms warrant it). It is a useful test. Sue, Lincolnshire UK
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results/ allergy specific tests
You've probably had a RAST test. (radio allergo sorbent). It's an Allergen specific IgE test. Our adopted son is severely allergic to latex. Is this the test he would have had? Nancy
[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results/ allergy specific tests
Our adopted son is severely allergic to latex. Is this the test he would have had? YES Sue
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:17:13 -0800, you wrote: Oh my. So first you'd have to sex the little buggers? That's easy - the male is the one on top. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
[moderator's note: please be sure to delete the previous message in your response to the list, or only quote one or two lines with your response *below* the quoted text. thanks.] What is the conclusion? We need to learn more about what causes the symptoms. The level of antihistamine does not correspond to the level of reaction. That's true because of 'target organ response' variability. That's why some people get a different reaction ie urticaria (rash) or hayfever or both. No one knows why one organ is targeted in one person and not in another for the same level of antihistamine. The target organ can change throughout life. People often grow out of hayfever to get asthma or arthritis. It is a very complex reaction. Other allergens may be responsible giving a cumulative effect ie 'the last straw that breaks the camels back'. There's a hell of a lot we don't know simply because it's such a long chain of events. Well now I've really bamboozled you all. What does the test really tell you? It's perhaps a baseline for that horse. Unless tests are done we're no closer to unraveling the mystery. I think we're at the baby steps stage with this one. Sue Lincs UK
[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
The first phase of the Cornell Univ Vet School Sweet itch study results are in. I will copy the results so you all will get to see just what I know. I sent Tivar's bloodwork in as the one with Sweet itch i suspected (he rubbed hair off and had lesions etc) and nasi as the control horse, a horse of the same breed in the same environment. He has never had any SE symptoms. I can confirm that the same thing happens in type 2 hypersensitivity in humans. We used to desensitise people for hayfever using a slowly increasing dose of allergen in the skin. It was quite successful. The treatment was stopped because occasionally people became hypersensitised instead and collapsed from anaphalactic shock. There were unfortunately some fatalities among otherwise fit young people. It's rather like desensitising the horse (sacking out) the body either gets it right or very wrong. Your 'desensitisation' can backfire. One horse may have had gradually increased dose of mite allergen and had time to build immunity. The other one reacted differently. Some patients did really well and I believe desensitisationis still carried out for life threatenning allergies at hospitals under close and prolonged supervision. I only had to treat anaphylaxis once and it scared me to death. It's a mystery why some people/animals become immune to allergies and some don't. Does anyone know of any desensitisation programme for sweet itch? I know of one pony that has steroids in the relavent risk period but that risks diabetes/insulin resistance and laminitis. Sue Lincolnshire, UK
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
but how would you desensitize to gnat bites susan. Your info is fascinating to consider. Janice -- courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway--John Wayne
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
Basically they inject a tiny amount of gnat saliva over a period of time. Now there's a career for someone with acute manual dexterity: the extraction of gnat saliva. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
They've tried that with itchy horses over here - not that effective, or so I've heard. Basically they inject a tiny amount of gnat saliva over a period of time. so how do they get the gnats to salivate. ar ar ar janice -- courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway--John Wayne
[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
but how would you desensitize to gnat bites susan. Your info is fascinating to consider. I guess it's the same way you desensitise to wasp and bee stings. First you need a lot of gnat spit. I bet scientists are working on it. http:/www.sweet-itch.co.uk/trials.html The above link shows that a 'vaccine' is being trialed. It sounds similar to the ones we used. I hope it works. Sue Lincolnshire UK
[IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
Now there's a career for someone with acute manual dexterity: the extraction of gnat saliva. Nancy And really good eyesight as only the females bite! Sue
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Tivar sweet itch results
And really good eyesight as only the females bite! Oh my. So first you'd have to sex the little buggers? Nancy
